Mailbag

Alien racism

In considering the possibility of intelligent life existing on some other remote planet, the most compelling argument against such a possibility is that Jesus Christ holds an eternal place in the Godhead as the second person of the Trinity, truly God and truly Man ("God & man on Mars," Jan. 24). I don't see any room in this formulation for intelligent life that is nonhuman. They would have no representative in the Godhead such as we enjoy in the person of Christ, and would be eternally excluded from any such relationship. Talk about discrimination.

-Daniel Wieberdink, Andover, Minn.

Gene Edward Veith makes a fairly sound apologetic for space travel, but we hear over and over in the news media that the purpose is to prove life existed on other planets, i.e., Mars, as further proof of evolution. I can think of a lot of things I'd rather see my tax money used for.

-Bob Newman

Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Regarding Mr. Veith's article: Encore!

-Mark Weislogel

Tigard, Ore.

Quiet heroes

My mom has volunteered for the local crisis pregnancy center for as long as I can remember, responding to the helpline, washing baby clothes, praying with clients, and encouraging me to become a part of this awesome ministry. Many other unsung heroines give of themselves to show Christ's love. Thank you to them and to Mr. Olasky for pointing them out to us ("Quiet heroism," Jan. 24).

-Rebecca High, 15

Maple Park, Ill.

Two to one

Regarding Janie B. Cheaney's excellent column on the demise of lasting marriages in the church, "The great desired" (Jan. 24): There is a disturbing willingness on the part of pastors to marry divorced people and Christians to attend weddings of divorcees. Didn't Jesus say that to marry a divorced woman is to commit adultery? Does it really matter that a divorcee is more compatible with the current partner or that they are both Christians? Unless there was physical infidelity or abandonment by a nonbelieving partner, the two are still one in God's eyes.

-Noel Adams

Cedar Park, Texas

I stayed with my first partner for 15 years before he finally left. At least 10 of those were mental torment but I stayed because I used to believe that God would cease to love me if I left my husband. Seventeen years on, my only regret is that I waited so long before getting out.

-Christine Stibbards

West Midlands, U.K.

When I read the column, I said, "Right on!" I have counseled too many friends who tell me that they just can't do it anymore, that God doesn't want them to live like this, even that God has given them "a peace to divorce" their husbands. Thank you for adding another tool to my box.

-Stephanie Ferguson

Broken Arrow, Okla.

Pass the Plato

A heartfelt "thank you" to Mr. Veith for his insightful comments on the Healthy Marriage Initiative ("Platonic proposal," Jan. 24). The gospel alone can transform lives, and governmental education will succeed now no better than it did in Plato's day.

-Susan Beisner

Pembroke Pines, Fla.

New Democrat

In fulfilling his plan to nullify the opposition, President Bush has adopted many of the Democrats' policies, such as steel tariffs and campaign finance reform. The Democratic party should nominate him as their candidate, as proposed by Mr. Veith ("Bush league," Jan. 24). This would allow the Republicans to nominate their own candidate.

-Peter Brown

Elmwood Park, N.J.

Simple complaint

I was pleased that you quoted my statement on behalf of the America First Party regarding Mr. Bush's immigration policies, but you misspelled my name-it's John Hey ("Border clash," Jan. 24). Not that it matters much, but I hate it that my friends won't know it's me you're calling "rabid." How sad that the rule of law and the Constitution are so little regarded nowadays that a conservative journalist feels free to brand as "rabid" a simple complaint that the law has not been carried out.

-John Pittman Hey

Greenwood, Miss.

A hopeless god

I watch Joan of Arcadia every Friday night that I'm home, and I was angered by "God's" comment that he is found in all the world's religions. This insult to Christianity stung until I read "Joan's God shows up in prime time" (Jan. 24). I realized that the show opens most of America to Christianity in ways I could never have imagined.

-Marissa Lynne Hopkins

Vancouver, Wash.

How can you be excited about this show if it portrays nothing about who God really is and how much He cares for us? Without the cross, our God becomes just another god offering no hope to the secularist or the believer. Christians should cringe when our Creator is portrayed in such a light.

-Steve Brown

Dallas, Texas

Ugly Americana

Americans living overseas will agree with Joel Belz ("As others see us," Jan. 24). It can be awkward and difficult living in other countries as an American these days. The constant barrage of anti-American, anti-Bush remarks-coming not just from "radicals" but also from friends and Christian co-workers-can get old. We Americans tend to do what we want regardless of objections, whether in the area of trade, the environment, terrorism and "evil" regimes, support for Israel, or UN mandates.

-Lewis Codington

Sheffield, England

I have often wondered how people who have such disdain for America can often show genuine friendliness toward Americans. I confess to feeling somewhat scornful myself when viewing a McDonald's next to Shakespeare's family home. Things like this represent an intrusive presence of Americana that lends credence to the idea that we are "taking over the world."

-Darrell Watson Jr.

Goldendale, Wash.

Votes for mullahs

The lack of any provision safeguarding religious freedom in the new Afghanistan constitution highlights the fundamental flaw in the U.S. policy of exporting democracy to Islamic nations ("Dress rehearsal," Jan. 17). Historically and theologically, the concept of religious freedom is at home in cultures informed by a biblical worldview. But this is not so in Islamic cultures. To the extent that an Islamic country becomes democratic, we can expect the doctrines of Islam to be enshrined and enforced in the legal system. To the extent that U.S. power and influence are employed to ensure legal protection for other religions, we can expect suspicion, resentment, and complaints of imperialistic interference in domestic affairs.

-Russell Board

Saitama City, Japan

Tom as Ike

Although Tom Selleck would not be my choice to play Eisenhower in a movie about D-Day (Quotables, Jan. 17), I can hardly wait to hear him repeat this quote from the general's address to U.S. troops on June 6, 1944: "Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."

-C. Zapotocky

Spokane, Wash.

Take a break

After I read "Curvy mountain road" (Jan. 10), I totally understood Mr. Olasky. I also think we should take a break from our pampered lives and visit a third-world country and see that some Christians have to have faith that God will provide their daily bread. Then we would take our luxury seriously and how much we are blessed.

-William H. Vander Wal, 12

Zeeland, Mich.

Corrections

Ryan Leaf was drafted in 1998 by the San Diego Chargers ("Diminishing returns," Jan. 31, p. 34).

Actor Trevor Goddard, who died June 8, 2003, was born in Sussex, England (Obituaries, Dec. 27/Jan. 3, p. 61).

Tony Shalhoub is the star of the USA Network hit Monk ("Sweet-tempered sleuth," Feb. 7, p. 12).